Prognosis ‘improving’ for severely premature babies

A study conducted by Duke University in the USA, has confirmed that an increasing number of extremely premature babies are now surviving without any neurological problems.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and involving 4,274 babies born between 22 and 24 weeks, found that compared with those born at the same gestation a decade earlier, a larger percentage were now showing no signs of cognitive or motor delay.

Between the years 2000 and 2003, around 30% of babies involved in the study survived and this rate increased to 36% for babies born between 2008 and 2011. The rate of survivors without neurological impairment rose from 16% to 20%.

Researcher Professor Noelle Younge, Assistant Professor of Paediatrics at Duke University, said “We see evidence of improvement over time. But we do need to keep an eye on the overall numbers, as a large percentage of infants born at this stage still do not survive.

“Those who survive without significant impairment at about age two are still at risk for numerous other challenges to their overall health.”

Lead Researcher Professor Michael Cotten, said that the improvements were due to changes to the culture within neonatal intensive care units.

“We’ve taken a big focus on preventing infections, and there’s a lot more encouragement and support for the use of mothers’ milk than there was 15 years ago, which has also been linked to better outcomes.”

Professor Cotten also attributed the improved rates to an increased use of steroids in mothers who are at risk of having a premature birth, in order to help the foetus to survive and have less chance of developmental delay.

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.